Des Plaines River Trail: Old School County Forest to Des Plaines

Des Plaines River Trail: Old School County Forest to Des Plaines is a 22.2 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Libertyville, IL that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

22.2 miles356 feetPoint to Point

dogs on leash

birding

canoeing

hiking

mountain biking

nature trips

road biking

trail running

walking

cross country skiing

horseback riding

forest

lake

river

views

waterfall

wild flowers

wildlife

bugs

muddy

rocky

Complete and detailed guide of the Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway from the Old School Preserve to Lake-Cook Road.
The Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway traverses Lake County, Illinois, North to South, over 31 miles as it winds it's way along the Des Plaines River connecting preserves, local parks, and communities. Unlike typicall arrow straight rails-to-trails projects, this improved trail offers quiet and fun riding as it meanders lazily to and fro following the Des Plaines River over a virtually flat trail. Multiple access points over it's length make it accessible via auto, bike, or pedestrian traffic and provide limitless options for riders of all levels of skill and experience.
This complete and detailed guide covers the Des Plaines River Trail and all it's access points, trailheads, parking, connecting trails, communities, parks, preserves, and facilities (including restrooms and water) between the Old School Forest Preserve and Lake-Cook Road. This guide provides over 40 points of interest and even more beautiful photos on the Des Plaines River Trail, viewable via your browser at home, or on the fly trailside via your mobile phone.

One of my favorite Lake County Forest Preserves! Lots of trails and love hiking along the river, where I frequently see deer and beavers. So cool to see the deer swim in the river. Love the different nature smells along the river with the wildflowers and trees. After heavy rains, the river trail can get quite muddy and even close at times due to flooding much of the entire river bank, but there are plenty of other trails to hike here. Bring and use bug spray, if hiking in the more wooded trails, as they are frequently buggy.

I enjoy biking on this wide trail. For running, I prefer single track and more hills.

Kathy G.

hiking

3 years ago

Starting at Old School Rd.in Libertyville and ending at Old Half Day Rd., have breakfast or lunch depending when you start at Egg Harbor in Lincolnshire. Then take the trek back to Old School. Can be busy depending on the day. Of course, weekends are busy with runner, bikers and hikers. Still beautiful hike among the forest, wildflowers, ferns, and deer sightings. During spring, the river may be too high and block access under Route 60 / Townline Rd. If your adventurous you can carry bike across the water or scurry over rocks close under the overpass. Level gravel surface, some slight downhill, nothing a beginner couldn't handle. Have ridden my bike and that is as much fun as hiking. Easy rider!